Definition of complementnext
1
as in supplement
something that serves to complete or make up for a deficiency in something else with his practicality and her refreshing enthusiasm, they are perfect complements to each other

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2
as in capacity
the largest number or amount that something can hold a full complement of sailors on the ship

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as in to adorn
to serve as a completing element to this silk handkerchief will complement your suit very nicely and give it a bit of dash

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of complement
Noun
The center stone alone clocks in at 35 carats—a natural complement to her gown, which was covered in 450,000 sequins. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026 Bregman’s improvement has been a complement to Pete Crow-Armstrong’s incredible season and lengthens the Cubs lineup. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
The Pistons put two players on the roster during the offseason to complement Cunningham, an All-NBA player. — CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 The mango passionfruit filling complemented the doughnut’s slightly sweet flavor, while the crème brûlée’s caramelized top added a nice crunch to the pillowy dough. — Lia Picard, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complement
Noun
  • Starting from pre-pregnancy, starting from preconception, parents are told to start managing their health, to start managing all possible risks through nutrition and vitamins and supplements and exercise.
    — Nicholas Florko, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, Shapiro says to think of milk as a supplement to your overall fluid intake.
    — Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The stations are standardised, so capacity is added by replicating them, and this line is the blueprint for future local for local expansion, as per the release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Nscale has just won a huge contract to supply computing capacity to Anthropic worth $45 billion over six years.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Grammy nominee wore a white lace dress and her hair was adorned with a bright blue ribbon.
    — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Beyond pottery studios and galleries, art lovers can seek out the renowned Ben Long frescoes, which adorn the walls of Saint Mary’s Church and Holy Trinity Church in nearby Glendale Springs, North Carolina.
    — Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The company has opened a 25,000-square-foot facility in Denver for testing and low-volume production.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Every autumn the siren song of baking calls bakers home until the volume becomes too much to bear.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The complication shows the moon phases for both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, with a 135-tooth driving wheel that drastically enhances accuracy, deviating by just one day every 122 years.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Macy’s investments and restructuring efforts reflect the increasing role that AI has been playing in the logistics industry, which is expected to further enhance efficiency and help companies survive headwinds.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Joining them are Hideki, Hiroto’s closest friend; Akari, who studies alongside Natsumi at university; and Yomogi, a real estate agent from the neighborhood.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The $385 billion sovereign fund has invested more than $20 billion in China, including into e-commerce giant Shein and real estate developer Dalian Wanda’s shopping malls business.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Landscape architect Nathan Browning completed the picture, enveloping the property in a canopy of palms and shaping its garden and pool into a lush, secluded retreat.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Of the 87 groups that reached the competition, only six completed the course.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The hotel's 18 rooms and five suites are all individually decorated with gloriously over-the-top touches in the form of antiques, sumptuous velvet duvet covers, and regal tones of red and gold that harken back to the property's royal history.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Combining periods helps create interiors that feel layered rather than tied to one decorating era.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complement. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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